Washing machine having automatically operated siphons



I D. K. 'FERRIS 2,478,814: I WASHING MACHINE HAVING AUTOMATICALLY Y AOPERATED SIPHONS Original Filed June 10, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IINVENTOR- T T J 5 -.1-&-

D. K. FERRIS WASHING MACHINE HAVING AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED S IPHONS Aug.9, 194 9.

Origihal Filed June 10, 1936 5 Sheets-She et s 0. K. FERRIS WASHINGMACHINE HAVING AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED SIPHONS IL- as 6/ z 7 w I Aug. 9,1949.

Original Fi1ed June 10, 1936 I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/IIIIIIIIIIIIII a I a L A d f D. K. FERRIS-WASH ING MACHINE-HAVING AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED SIPHONS Original FiledJfine '10. 1936 ,Aua- 4 D. K. FERRIS T i 2,478,814

WASHING MACHINE HAVING AUTOMAQICALLY OPERATED SIPHONS I OriginalFiledJune 10, 1936 5 She ets-Sheet 5 WATER I 5H DRAIN HOT MOTOR ON DRAINcLoaeo--- DRAIN cow wmen PRE- WA6H v-- WA Patented Aug. 9, 1949 WASHINGMACHINE HAVING AUTOMATI- CALLY OPERATED SIPHONS Donald K. Ferris,Dayton,'0hio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, acorporation of Delaware Original application Jnne'10, 1936, Serial No.

Divided and this application August 26, 1941, Serial No. 408,361

16 Claims. (Cl. 134-57) The present invention relates to apparatus forwashing articles and has for its object to provide improvements inapparatus of this characterwhereby to simplify the construction and toreduce the cost of manufacturing the same.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 84,504, filedJune 10, 1936, and now Patent Number 2,314,332, granted March 23, 1943.v

A further object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus ofthis class, particularly adapted for use in the washing of dishes andother articles and including an improved arrangement of electricaldevices for heating and contrcllini, the flow of the washing and rinsingfluid.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved liquidheating unit embodying a container or receptacle for the liquid havingelectric heating means for generating steam and means by which tocontrol and employ the steam to vary the level of the liquid and tocontrol and effect discharge of the liquid from the unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangementof electric heating and circuit controlling devices within the liquidholding receptacles under the control of the liquid and adapted tooperate or function in a predetermined timed relation to insure deliveryof the heated washing and rinsing supplies of water to the washingchamber at proper intervals and at the desired temperatures.

'A further object of the invention isto provide in a machine of theclass described, a washing chamber and individual compartments forsupplying pre-washing, washing, and rinsing liquids thereto withelectrical devices for generating steam in the compartments containingthe washing and rinsing liquids to effect discharge of the liquidtherefrom at predetermined intervals, and in which apparatus electricaldevices are also provided for circulating the liquid within the washingchamber and for controlling the drain passage leading therefrom, saidelectrical devices operating automatically in a predetermined sequenceto successfully complete the required operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide receptacles in which toheat the washing and rinsing liquids and one or more heating devices ineach of the receptacles for heating the liquid as well as for thepurpose of generating steam to provide pressure within the receptaclessum cient to effect discharge of the liquid to the A washing chamber,and also to provide means for 2 varying the position of the heatingdevice or devices relative to the level of the liquid in order to beable to vary the period required to effect the discharge of the liquidfrom each receptacle and to make it possible to be able to bettercontrol the intervals of discharge of the liquid from the severalreceptacles and the temperatures at which the liquid is supplied to thewashing chamber.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatusfor washing dishes by which the food particles adhering thereto can beeffectively removed and the dishes rinsed and dried within the washingchamber in an eflicient and economical manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatusfor heating the washing liquid, effecting its delivery to the washingchamber, and automatically controlling the operations of circulating ittherein and discharging it therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatusfor heating water in a plurality of receptacles for washing and rinsingthe dishes, discharging it from the receptacles to the washing chamberat predetermined intervals and controlling the operations of washing andrinsing the dishes and of the discharge of the water from the washingchamber in a predetermined sequence.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvementsand combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, the novel'features being pointed out in the claims at the endof the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a washing machine embodying one formof the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on line 2-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a, front elevation as viewed from the right of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary through the receptacle containing the rinse wa-Fig. 6 is a plan view illustrating the manner of constructing the switchand heating units for controlling and heating the liquid;

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation on line 'l| of Flg. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional elevation on line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

sectional elevation Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a slightly modifiedform of heating unit;

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation taken on line Ill-ill of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional elevation i1- lustrating the latchmechanism for securing the cover for the washing chamber in closedposition with the magnet for releasing the latch shown in normaldeenergized position;

Fig. 12 is a similar view showing the armature of the magnet in positionto effect release of the latch when the armature becomes deenergized;

Fig. 13 is a part sectional elevation illustrating the drain for thedish washing chamber and associated parts;

Fig. 14 is a similar view showing the drain valve in closed position;

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical devices and thecircuit connections therefor;

Fig. 16 is a plan view of one of the hinges for raising the cover of themachine when the latching means therefor is released;

Fig. 17 is a transverse sectional elevation through the hinge shown inFig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a view in elevation of a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 19 is a sectional elevation of another modification; and

Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic representation of a portion of the machine.

The same reference numerals throughout the several Views indicate thesame parts.

The present invention embodies generally, liquid heating apparatus inwhich steam is generated in a receptacle containing the liquid by meansof a suitable heating device such, for example, as an electric heater ofany preferred type. The steam is collected and controlled in such amanner 'as to exert pressure on the liquid sufiicient to force itdownwardly through a suitable outlet or to raise it to a predeterminedlevel for discharge from the receptacle at a point above the normallevel of the liquid. A siphon is preferably employed for withdrawing theheated liquid from the receptacle for discharge to any desired pointwhen raising the level of the liquid, as distinguished from forcing itdownwardly within the receptacle. The siphon will begin operation afterthe water has reached the boiling point and sufficient steam has beengenerated to exert pressurev on the liquid to raise it to the requiredlevel.

When the apparatus is to be used for heating water for dish washingpurposes it can be directly associated with a dish washing machine ofany suitable design, such, for example, as that shown in Fig. 1. In thiscase three receptacles are employed for receiving the pre-wash, thewash, and the rinsing water; respectively, the pro-wash water beingdischarged directly to the dish-washing chamber. The electric heatingand circuit control devices within the receptacles containing thewashing and rinsing water are so designed and related as to function oroperate in a predetermined sequence whereby to effect heating anddelivery of the washing and rinsing water to the dish-washing chamber atpredetermined intervals, the rinsing water being delivered thereto assoon as the main supply of wash water has been discharged therefrom. Inother words, the apparatus is so designed that it is only necessary toplace the dishes and a suitable detergent within the washing chamber andthe water within the different receptacles provided, the operatlonsthereafter being automatic, the motor circuit being closed by the waterto start the motor for driving the impeller whereby to circulate thewater within the dish washing chamber. Furthermore, the drain valve forcontrolling the discharge of the waste water is automatically opened andclosed at proper intervals and the latch for maintaining the cover forthe dish washing chamber in closed position is automatically released toallow the cover to swing to open position as soon as the final rinsingoperation is completed.

Referring to the drawings, i0 represents the outer casing of the machinehaving top and bottom frame members Ii and I2, respectively, to whichthe side walls of the casing are attached, the frame member ll carryingthe end wall Ila of the receptacle. Suitably supported within the casingis the washing machine proper, designated generally by the referencenumeral i3 and comprising a container having a washing chamber H intowhich extends an impeller i5 for circulating and discharging the washingfluid in 'contact with the dishes i6 supported by any suitable means,such as the rack l1 shown in Fig. l. The impeller is mounted on theshaft of an electric motor I8, suitably connected with the lower end ofthe container i3. The container has a drain pipe 19 extending therefromwhich is provided at its outer end with a valve 20 for closing theoutlet 2|, the valve being normally held in open position by a spring 22and closed by an electro-magnet 23 included in the motor circuit andoperated as described hereinafter.

Surrounding the drain pipe 19 is a heating coil 24 for warming the watercontained within the pipe, the coil being in the form of an adjustableresistance for controlling or regulating the flow of the current, asmore fully described hereinafter.

Disposed within the casing i0 is a tank 25 for receiving the waste waterdischarging from the drain pipe when the valve 20 is opened, the tankbeing removably supported on guides 26 suitably connected with andsupported by the casing i0.

Separate tanks or receptacles are provided for the pre-wash, wash, andrinsing water, these being designated by reference numerals 27, 28, and29, respectively, the receptacle 2.! having a small compartment 30disposed thierebrneath through which the rinse water is by-passed on itsway to the washing chamber for a purpose described hereinafter. Thereceptacles or compartments 21 to 30, inclusive, are preferably formedof metal and may, if desired, be constructed as a unit and secured tothe front, rear and end walls 31, 32, and 33, respectively, which aredisposed within the casin i0 and formed of suitable insulating material.

A measuring tank or receptacle 34 is provided for measuring the water tobe delivered to the compartments 21, 28, and 29, said receptacle beingsupported for a swinging movement from the horizontal position shown inFig. 2 to the vertical position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 by a plurality ofhinges 35 which connect the tank with the front wall of the casing Ill.The measuring tank has three compartments 21a, 28a and 29a for measuringthe pro-wash, the wash and the rinsing liquids for dischargerespectively to the receptacles 21, 28, and 29 upon swinging themeasuring receptacle from the horizontal position shown in Fig. 2 to thevertical position shown in Fig. 1.

The water level of the measurin receptacle is indicated at 98, anoverflowipassage 81 being provided to insure proper measurement of thewater by the several compartments of the receptacle.

The adjacent side walls of the liquid measuring compartments areprovided with openings 98 for the passage ofthe liquid from onemeasuring compartment to another, whereby the receptacle may be illledby discharging the liquid to either of said compartments, said adjacentwalls being spaced apart at their inner ends to provide opening's 89 toafford clearance for the sidewalls of the receptacle 2! as shown'inFig.4. g

The measuring receptacle is provided with a suitable lock 'or latch 40for cooperation with a uring compartment 21a into the receptacle 21 williiow immediately from the latter through a discharge conduit 44 which isextended intothe washing chamber [4 and so positioned as to dischargethe liquid in contact with the blades of the impeller l5 for properdistribution or circulation by the latter.

As previously stated, the wash and rinsing pipe- 44 leading to the dish'washin chamber as shownin Fig. 1.

A similar. siphon tube 5l. has its shorter leg, disposed within thereceptacle :9 containing the rinse water, but in this case the longerleg of the tube is bent at its lower end and extended within 1 thesmallliquid receiving compartment imwater will, upon swinging the measuringreceptacle from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 1, bedischarged into the tanks or receptacles 28 and 29, respectively, tofill thesame substantially to the level indicated at a in Fig.

5. The receptacles 28 and 29 constitute heating compartments for themain supply of wash water and the rinse water, respectively, each beingprovided with heating means described hereinafter.

Disposed within the heating compartment 28 is an inverted container 28band mounted within the heating compartment 29 is a similar container29b. The air trapped within the container 28b by the liquid delivered tothe heating receptacle 28 will be forced out by the liquid through avent pipe 45 extending upwardly within the casing l0 and terminating ina supporting plate 46, Figs. 2

and 3. A similar vent pipe 41 extends from the inverted container 29b tothe supporting plate 46 for carrying off the air trapped in saidcontainer by the liquid entering the same.

The open ends of the vent pipes are closed by a strip of rubber 49 orother suitable material secured upon the side walls of the measuringcompartment 21a at the outer ends thereof as shown in Fig. 4, saidmember movin into engagement with the supporting plate 46 after the airhas escaped from the inverted containers 28b and 29b.

The receptacles 28 and 29 are each provided with electric heatingdevices described hereinmediately below the receptacle 29, the hquidbeing discharged to saidcompartment for a purpose described hereinafter.The compartment 30 is connected with the liquid discharge pipe 44 by ashortrpipe 52, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3.

The means'for heating the washing and rinsing water in the receptacles28 and 29 preferably comprises multiple surface immersion heaters of thegrid type, one of which is shown at 53 in the receptacle 28, and two ofwhich are shown at 54 and 55 inthe upper and lower portions of thereceptacle 29 respectively. As will be under-stood, with liquid contactheaters of this type, the liquid lying between the spaced blades orcontacts of the heater serves to complete the circuit. This is true alsoof the switches 56 and 51 in the upper and lower portions of thecontainer 29b as Well as of the-switches 58 and 59 in the liquidreceiving compartment 30.

The switch and heater construction is shown in Fig. 6, in which thesupporting plate 6| has a plurality of laterally extending spaced bladesila lying between the blades 62a of the supporting plate 62. The bladesare held in spaced relation and are insulated one from another by theparts 63, formed of rubber or other suitable insulating material, saidparts in certain of the switch and heater units being projected belowthe blades as shown in Fig. 8 to form supporting means for units. The.number of the blades of any particular switch or heater unit may bevaried to vary the capacity of the unit as desired, Furthermore, thesize of the blades and the distance between the same may also be variedto regulate or control the capacity of the heater. It is found desirableto place certain of the heater and switch units within small liquidholding containers for maintaining one or more closed circuits after themain supplies of liquid have been discharged from the heatingreceptacles to the dish washing chamber.

Two of such containers are indicated at 54 in Fig. 3, one adjacent the.bottom of the liquid heating receptacle 29 for supporting the heater 55and switch unit 51 and another in the compartment 30 for supporting theswtich units 58 and 59. The construction of the container 64 is bestshown in Figs. '7 and 8, in which the blade insulating parts 63 areshown resting on the bottom of the container. The containers 64 arenecessary at the points indicated in order to maintain a closed circuitwhen the rinse water in the compartment 29 is below a predeterminedlevel, as for example when practically all of the supply of rinse waterhas been discharged to the dish washing chamber, at which time it isdesired to prevent opening of the closure 13a for the washing chamberand to keep the motor running a whereby to operate the impeller tocomplete the rinsing operation. Under these conditions of operation theliquid within the receptacles 64 will be suflicient to maintain themotor circuit closed for the desired length of time and theelectromagnets 23 and 60 energized to prevent opening of the drain valveand release of the latch for the closure [3a. The discharge end of thesiphon Si is directed towards the container 64 in the compartment 30, sothat the siphon fills the icontainer 64 before any substantial amount ofliquid is discharged through the discharge pipe 52.

With the present arrangement the main supply of wash water delivered tothe receptacle 28 is about half of the amount of rinse water deliveredto the receptacle 29. Since the rinse water is not needed until after.the supply of wash water has been exhausted, it is necessary to soproportion the size or capacity of the heaters in the receptacles 28 and29 as to insure proper timing of the same whereby to start siphoning ofthe rinse water for discharge to the dish washing chamber as soon as themain washing operation is completed.

The timing operations can be controlled in different ways, as forexample by the use of the modified form of heating unit shown in Figs. 9and in which the heater is mounted on a suitable support 65 which mayconstitute the bottom wall of the liquid holding receptacle or be in theform of a container similar to that shown at 64 in Figs. 7 and 8. Themodified heater except for the means for controlling its capacity, is ofthe same construction as the one shown in Fig. 6,

an important factor in determining the current draw. If a thin strip ofinsulation is placed between the active surfaces of two of the heaterleaves, the current will be forced to travel around the edges of thestrip in order to reach the opposite leaf, In doing so it will travelfor a part of the way through water of a lower temperature than thatthrough which it would travel if the strip of insulation were not used.Thus the current will be reduced since its path of travel is increasedthrough water the conductivity of which is decreased. By inserting avariable number of strips of insulation between the leaves of the heateror the switch the current can be limited as desired. .An example of thismethod of current control is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 in which tworelatively long and short strips 66 and 61 of insulating material areshown between certain of the leaves of the heater.

The screen Ma is provided in the bottom of the washing chamber M whichis spaced from and opposite the inlet end of the drain pipe 19 as shownin Fig. 1. The screen forms a pocket between the impeller and theconduit open at one side and at the top which is provided for thepurpose of trapping food particles released by the washing or cleansingoperations, which if allowed to remain in the water would tend tocollect on and to adhere to the dishes after completing the rinsingoperation. Such particles are of course kept in circulation by theaction of the impeller, but tend to gravitate toward the bottom of thedish washing chamber. During the course of the agitation of liquidbyimpeller l5, the food particles tend to be trapped on the right handside of screen Ma, so that after a comparatively short timesubstantially all of the particles find their way to the right hand sideof screen Ma where they are trapped, later to be discharged through thedischarge valve when it is opened. This construction collectspractically all of the food particles on the right hand side; but if anyremain on the left hand side they are of such small quantity as to benegligible.

The closure [3a for the dish holding container I3 is hingedly connectedwith the inwardly extending portion Ha of the end wall ll of the casingill by means of a suitable number of hinges, one of which is indicatedat 68 in Figs. 16 and 17. These hinges ar of a well known type, and eachembodies a torsion spring 69, the spring operating to raise the closuresubstantially to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 when the latchfor the closure is released, upon completion 'of the rinsing operation,by the solenoid or electro-magnet 60 supported by a bracket 68a,depending within the casing Hi from the end wall Ila thereof as shown inFigs. 1 and 11. The closure l3a has a forwardly extending member 10thereon provided with a depending latch bar H for cooperation with thelatch lever 12 pivoted intermediate its ends upon an arm 13 carried bythe bracket 88a for supporting the electro-magnet 80. The latch is heldin latching position when the door is closed by a spring 14. The latchhas a pivoted dog thereon which is swung outwardly by the lug 16 on thearmature 18 of the magnet when the latter is energized, at which timethe armature is moved from the position shown in Fig. 11 to that shownin Fig. 12. The magnet is deenergized by the opening of the switch 59 atwhich time the spring 19 will return the armature to the position shownin Fig. 11. When this is done, the lug 16, through engagement with thedog 75, will trip the latch and release the cover for movement by thecover for movement by the springs 69 of the hinges 68 to the dotted lineposition shown in Fig. 1. The latch may be manually released whendesired, by moving the releasing member from the position shown in Fig.11 in a direction toward the latch to swing the latter upon the arm 13against the resistance of the spring 74.

In the control of the temperature of the water, it has been found that.the current flowing through the blades of the heater and the watertherebetween efiects a rather rapid generation of steam. It will beobvious of course that the nearer the bottom of the receptacle theheater is placed the longer it will take to collect sufficient steam inthe upper end of the inverted container to force the water therefrom dueto the fact that a greater quantity of steam must be condensed beforethe temperature of the water can be raised to a point at which the steamwill be given on at the level of the liquid. In other words, if theheater is placed adjacent or even with the surface of the water, thesteam generated by the heater will be quickly liberated since the amountof water to be heated before the steam will begin to escape will berelatively small compared to the quantity to be heated when the heatingunit is placed in the bottom of the receptacle.

It will be seen therefore that if the heater is made adjustable formovement up and down within the receptacle, that th time required toaccumulate sufficient steam above the level of 75 the liquid in theinverted container to raise the 58 at the desired level within thereceptacle.

The modification shown in Fig. 18 embodies a single unitary heatingdevice which can be used for heating liquids for various purposes, saidunit being adapted for use in laboratories, bath rooms or wherever itmay be desired to provide for a relatively quick supply of hot water orother liquid. This device comprises a receptacle lla having a hingedcover 32a, the receptacle being provided with an inverted container 33afrom which extends a vent pipe 34a having its upper end terminating in asupport 35a and closed by the cover 32a after the receptacle has beenfilled with liquid to a predetermined level as indicated for example at35a.

A multiple surface heater of the type shown for example at 53 in Fig. 3is disposed within the receptacle, the heater and the parts for raisingand lowering it within the receptacle being the same as those shown inFig. 2, have been given the same reference numerals. The adjustablestrips of insulation 88 and 61 shown in Figs. 9 and 10 are also shown inFig. 18, being provided for the same purpose in both cases.

A siphon tub 50a has its short leg disposed within the receptacle 3 la,the longer leg of which can be adapted for discharging the hot water orliquid to any desired point. When the liquid is deliveredto thereceptacle it will rise within the inverted container 33a, and cause theair to escape through the vent pipe 34a, which however will be closed bythe cover 32a when the latter is moved to closedposition, wherebytoprevent 1 the escape of steam from the inverted container.

The multiple surface heater 53' will serve both as a means for heatingthe liquid and for closing the circuit, the circuit connections notbeing shown. However, if preferred, a switch corresponding to the switch"51 of Figure 3 can be placed within the receptacle for controlling thecircuit if found advisable. Furthermore, an ad'- ditional heater can bepositioned within the receptacle above the one shown, corresponding tothe heater 54 shown in Fig. 3, to increase the temperature of the liquidif desired. It will be understood that the modified heating device isentirely automatic, the only operation required being that of placingthe required amount oi. liquid within the receptacle.

' In order to start the machine the measuring tank 34 is filled and thecontents of receptacles 21a, 28a, and 29a thereof discharged into thereceptacles 21, 28, and 29, respectively. The prewash water received bythe intermediate receptacle 21 will begin'immediately to dischargethrough the supply pipe 44 to the washing chamber M. The switch 51 inthe receptacle 29 being immersed within the liquid, will close the motorcircuit, current flowing through the conductor 85, switch 51, conductor86, motor l8, and back through conductor 81. Current will also flowthrough resistance 24, heaters 53 and 55 in receptacles 28 and 29respectively.

As soon as the water reaches a predeter'rnined level in the invertedcontainer 29b, the upper switch 56 therein will be closed, currentflowing through conductors 85 and 88', switch 58, conductors 89 and 98,electro-magnet 23 and conductors 9i and 81, thus energizing the magnetto effect closing of the drain valve to retain 5 the pre-wash water inthe washing chamber It. This water serves to dissolve the soap'orwashing compound, and being cooled by the walls of the washing chamberwill soften the particles of food As soon as steam is' generated withinthe re- .Jeptacle 28, it will collect in the upper portion of m theinverted container 28b, and will then begin to force the water from thecontainer whereby to raise the level within the receptacle 28 to a pointat which to start operation of the siphon 50, which will deliver themain body of washing water to the supply conduit 44 for discharge to thewashing chamber M, where it will be mixed wLth the small amount ofpro-wash water therein after the latter has been circulated by theimpeller in contact with the dishes to effect softening of the foodparticles and other materials adhering to the dishes. The main washingoperation will then begin, and will continue until the drain valve isopened.

In the meantime, the multiple surface heater 55 within the receptacle 29will serve to heat the rinsewater therein, steam being generated whichwill collect in the upper end of the inverted container 29b whereby toforce the water from the container to raise the level within thereceptacle 28. As soonas the steam'has forced the water below the levelof the switch 56, current will cease to flow through the eiectro-magnet23 which will then become de-energized and allow the spring 22 to openthe drain valve 20 to permit the wash water reaches the heater 54 thelatter will be included in the motor circuit and will afford additionalheating means for the liquid substantially at the level of its dischargefrom the receptacle.

At about the time the heater 54 becomes immersed the rinse water in thereceptacle 29 will have reached the inlet end of'theby-pass pipe 5lathrough which a small amount of water will flow to and through thesupply pipe 44, and into the washing chamber where it will serve as-"aand food particles which may have accumulated in the lower portionof-the chamber [4 butwithout disturbing the soapy film or suds adheringto the walls of the upper portion of the chamber and the dishes, itbeing understood that this will containing the switch units 58 and 59,at which time the switch 58 will be closed to again energize theelectro-magnet 23 to effect closing of the valve 20 for maintaining therinse water in the washing chamber, current then flowing through switch51, conductors 92 and 93, switch 58, conductors, 94 and 98,electro-magnet 23 and conductors 9| and 81.

Switch 59 will also be closed by the water ente'ring compartment 30,current flowing through water to escape into the tank 25. Assoon as thepro-rinse supply for washing out the soap-suds The rinsewater isdischarged switch 51, conductor 92, switch 59, conductor 95,electro-magnet 60 and conductors 8i and 81. Thus the electro-magnet 60for releasing the closure [3a will be energized whereby its armaturewill be moved from the position shown in Fig. 11 to that shown in Fig.12*, at which it will be held during the final rinsing period. After themain supply of rinsing water has been withdrawn from the receptacle 29,there will still remain a certain amount of water in the small container64 within which the switch 51 is disposed which will be sufficient tokeep the motor circuit closed and the motor running.

At the same time the water within the small containers 64, within whichthe switches 51 and 59 are disposed, will be suflicient to close saidswitches so that the electro-magnets 23 and ill will remain energizedfor the desired length of time. When the water in the containers 64 hasboiled down to a level below the blades of the switches therein, themotor circuit will be opened and the electro-magnets 23 and 60 willbecome de-energized at which time the drain valve 26 will be moved bythe spring 22 to open position and the armature 18 of magnet 60 releasedfor movement by the spring I9 to release the cover latch 12 whereby thesprings 69 will raise the cover to the dotted line position shown inFig. 1 in order to provide for ventilation of the washing chamber andproper drying of the dishes before removing the same from said chamber.

It will be understood as previously stated, that the adjustableresistance 24, in series with the water heaters 53 and 55, is employednot only to limit the current draw of the heaters when waters ofdiil'erent degrees of conductivity are used, but also to heat the drainpipe I! to warm or heat the water held therein during the washing andrinsing operations.

It will be understood that either hot or cold water may be used instarting the machine, but that if hot water is used the time required togenerate suihcient steam in the receptacles 28 and 29 to raise theliquid to a level at which to start operation of the siphons will beconsiderably reduced. I

It will also be understood that where the machines are used in differentlocalities having water the conductivity of which varies, that thecurrent can be regulated accordingly by means of the variable resistanceindicated diagrammatically at 24 in Fig. 15.

While the liquid contact switches shown in Figs.

3 and 5 are provided primarily as circuit controlling means theynevertheless constitute electric heating devices which will serve toincrease or raise the temperature of the liquid by reason of thedischarge of the current therethrough and through the leaves of theheater.

' By placing the leaves of the heater 54 in superimposed relation asshown in Fig. 3, the supply of heat will be gradually increased as thelevel of the liquid rises since the leaves will be successivelycontacted by the liquid. Furthermore, by placing the heater 54 near thelevel of discharge of the liquid from the receptacle 28, the rinsingliquid can be delivered to the dish washing chamber at relatively hightemperatures which maybe controlled or regulated by increasing ordecreasing the capacity of the heater.

It will be noted that the vent pipe 45 is extended a considerabledistance within the inverted contrapped within the upper portion of thecontainer, which cannot escape since the pipe will be closed by theliquid when raised to the level indicated in Fig. 2. It will be furtherunderstood that the air trapped within the upper end of the containerwill tend to expand upon being heated by the liquid whereby to increasethe pressure on the latter. When steam is generated within the containerthe pressure will be increased and the liquid raised to the desiredlevel within the receptacle 28.

The modification shown in Fig. 19 embodies a liquid heating device orreceptacle of a type which may be substituted for the heatingreceptacles shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, if desired. The modifiedreceptacle is indicated at 84a and has a liquid supply pipe "a which maybe connected with any suitable supply source such, for example. as awater supply pipe having a valve for controlling the flow of the water.Extending from the receptacle is a discharge conduit "a adapted to beprojected within the dish washing chamber l4 and to deliver the liquidthereto for circulation therein by the impeller l5.

Any desired number of liquid heating or circuit controlling devices ofany preferred type may be disposed within the receptacle 14a for heatingand controlling the ilow of the liquid, one of such heaters being shownby way of example at 81a in Fig. 19, which may be of the liquid contacttype shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, or of any preferred design.

It will be understood that liquid heating receptacles of the type shownin Fig. 19 may be substituted for the receptacles 24 and 29 of Figs. 2and 3 and provided with the same or corresponding liquid heating andcircuit controlling devices for cooperation in heating and controllingthe flow of the liquid and for energizing the electromagnets forcontrolling the operation of the drain valve and latch means for theclosure of the washing container. It will be further understood that insuch an arrangement the siphon tubes will be omitted, but that acompartment corresponding to that shown at 30 in Fig. 3 and includingthe switches or circuit control devices therein may be connected withthe receptacle 840 containing the rinsing liquid to function in themanner and for the purpose previously described herein.

Furthermore, since with the modified type of receptacle shown in Fig. 19the liquid is discharged directly to the washing chamber by the pressureof the steam within the receptacles, they may be located within thecasing it below the washing container or so arranged therein as topermit the size of the casing to be reduced to a minimum.

A self-closing valve Ila is provided at the discharge end of the supplypipe "a which will be automatically closed by the pressure of the steamwithin the receptacle. The level of the liquid in the receptacle 84a isindicated at "a, it being tainer 28b and it will be understood that theliquid understood, however, that the quantity of liquid placed withinthe receptacle may be varied asdesired and that the heating devices maybe ad- Justed or placed at different levels within the receptacles, asdiflerent conditions may require.

In the operation of the machine the compartments of the measuring tankare first provided with the desired quantities of pre-wash, wash. andrinsing water and upon swinging the tank from the position shown in Fig.2 to that shown in Fig. 1, the water will be discharged to thereceptacles 21, ll, and 2!, respectively, the pre-wash 13 water beingpreferably discharged by gravity to the washing chamber I4 as shownalong line I of Fig. 20. Upon discharging the washing and rinsing waterto the receptacles 28 and 29, respec tively, the heaters 53 and 55 willbegin to heat the water therein. At the same time the motor controlswitch 51 within the receptacle 29 will be closed by the water to startoperation of the motor and likewise the switch 56 will also be closed bythe water to permit the coil 23 to become energized to eiiect closing ofthe drain 'valve 20.

respectively, the former for operating the drain valve to close theoutlet of the washing chamber and the latter for moving thedoor-controlling armature from the position shown in Fig. 11

The impeller I5 will then circulate the cold or tepid pre-wash waterwithin the washing chamber and mix it with the detergent placed therein,the circulation of the mixture in contact with the dishes serving tosoften and loosen the food or foreign particles adhering to the dishes,and particularly the albuminous materials which are difficult to removewhen allowed to' dry on the dishes as diagrammaticallyindicated betweenthe line l00 and ml of Fig. 20. At the completion of the period ofcirculation of the pre-wash waterthe main supply of wash water, underthe pressure of the steam generated within the receptacle 28, will bedischarged to the washing chamber and mixed with the pre-wash water andcirculated in contact with the dishes to wash the same as indicated atline IOI of Fig. 20.- At about the time the washing operation iscompleted the rinsing water within the receptacle 29 will be forcedbelow the switch 56 by the steam in the inverted receptacle 2%, thusde-energizing the magnet 23 for closing the drain valve and allowing thelatter to be opened by the spring 22 to permit the water to dischargefrom the washing chamber as indicated between lines I02 and I03 of Fig.20.

At about the time this operation is completed the water within thereceptacle 29 will be forced upwardly therein by the pressure of thesteam to a level at which a small amount of pre-rinse water willdischarge through the restricted by-pass 51a to and through the conduit44 to the washing chamber where it Will be discharged in contact withthe upper ends of the impeller blades at which time the impeller isstill being driven by the motor as indicated at line I03 of Fig. 20. Dueto the relatively small amount of pre-rinse water permitted to dischargethrough the by-pass 5Ia and its rather slow rate of discharge from theconduit 44, the greater portion of the water will be acted upon by theupper ends of the blades of the impeller and thrown off by the same in alateral direction within the lower portion of the washing chamber only,whereby to eifect discharge of the soap-suds and food particles whichmay have accumulated therein, it being understood that at this time thedrain valve is still at open position. However, since the pre-rinsewater is not permitted to circulate within the upper portion of thewashing chamber the soap-suds adhering to the walls thereof and to thedishes will remain thereon and be taken up by the main supply of rinsewater which is discharged by the impeller to all parts of the washingchamber with the drain valve in closed position. I

By the time the pre-rinse operation is completed the steam in thereceptacle 29 will have raised the water to a level sufficient to startoper ation of the sy'phon 5| which will then begin to deliver the waterto the compartment 30 for passage therethrough to and through theconduits 52 and 44 to the washing chamber as indicated in line I04 ofFig. 20. When the water is discharged to said compartment it will closethe switches 58 and 59 therein to energize magnets 23 and 30,

to that shown in Fig. 12 for eflecting release of the latch for the doorwhen the final rinsing operation is completed, whereby to admit air tothe washing chamber to facilitate drying of the dishes therein.

Upon delivery of the main supply of rinse water to the washing chamberit will be circulated therein by the impeller at which time the soapsudsor film of soap adhering to the upper walls of the washing chamber andto the dishes will become mixed with the rinsing water and circulatedtherewith in contact with the dishes as indicated between lines I04 andI05 of Fig. 20.

After substantially all of the rinsing water has been discharged fromthe receptacle 29 and the compartment 30 to the washing chamber, themotor will continue to operate for a short period to complete therinsing operation, the motor switch during this time being kept closedby the small amount of water held within the upper container 64 withinwhich the switch is disposed. The switches 58 and 59 disposed within thelower container 64, which serve to control the magnets 23 and 60,respectively, are likewise kept closed by the water therein during thecompletion of the rinsing period. However, as soon as the water hasboiled down within the switch holding containers 64, the motor will stopand the magnets become de-energized to allow the drain valve and tion tothe liquid as to cause it to exert pressure thereon sufficient to raisethe liquid to a level at which it will start operation of the siphon.

2. In apparatus of the class described, a container for receiving aheated liquid, a receptacle in which to heat the liquid, a dischargeconnection leading from the receptacle to the container including asiphon for withdrawing the liquid from the receptacle, an electricheater within the receptacle for heating the liquid to generate steamtherein, said heater comprising a plurality of spaced metal contactsdisposed within the liquid and cooperating therewith to form conductingmeans for an electric current for heating the liquid, and meansincluding an inverted substantially cup shaped container for maintainingthe steam in such relation to the liquid as to cause it to exertpressure on the liquid suflicient to raise it to a level at which tostart operation of the siphon.

3. Apparatus for automatically supplying liquid to a chamber in apredeterminedsequence comprising in combination, liquid feeding meansfor feeding separate bodies of liquid to said chamber, heating means forsaid liquid feeding means, and provisions for automatically sequentiallyfeeding said separate bodies of liquid to said washing chamber inresponse to liquid temperature in said liquid feeding means.

4. Apparatus for automatically supplying liquid to a washing chambercomprising in comhination, a plurality of liquid feeding receptacles forfeeding liquid to said washing chamber, heating means for saidreceptacle, and provisions for automatically sequentially feeding liquidfrom said receptacles to said washing chamber in response to liquidtemperature in said receptacles.

5. In apparatus of the class described, a receptacle in which to heat aliquid, the receptacle having an outlet for the liquid, means within thereceptacle for heating the liquid therein normally below the level ofsaid outlet to generate steam within the receptacle, means forcollecting and maintaining the steam in such relation to the liquid asto cause it to exert pressure thereon sufficient to raise the liquid toa level at which it will flow through said outlet, and means for varyingthe rate of generation of steam so as to vary the time required for theliquid to reach said outlet said last named means comprising means forvarying the depth of said heating means within said liquid.

6. In apparatus of the class described, a receptacle in which to heat aliquid, the receptacle having an outlet for the liquid, means within thereceptacle for heating the liquid therein normally below the level ofsaid outlet to generate steam within the recepacle, means for collecingand maintaining the steam in such relation to the liquid as to cause itto exert pressure thereon sufilcient to raise the liquid to a level atwhich it will flow through said outlet, and means for varying the rateof generation of steam so as to vary the time required for the liquid toreach said outlet, said last named means comprising means for varyingthe position of said heating means with respect to the surface of saidliquid,

7. In combination, a receptacle in which to heat the liquid, 9, siphonfor discharging a liquid from the receptacle, means for heating theliquid within the receptacle to generate steam therein, means formaintaining the steam in such relation to the liquid as to cause it toexert pressure thereon sufficient to raise the liquid to a level atwhich it will start operation of the siphon, and means for varying therate at which a given amount of heat given oil" by said heating meansgenerates steam.

8. Means for supplying liquid to a washing chamber comprising incombination, a receptacle for the washing liquid, a second receptaclefor the rinsing liquid, a siphon connected with each of said receptaclesfor withdrawing the liquid therefrom, means connecting the siphons withsaid washing chamber, a heating device connected to each of saidreceptacles for generating steam therein, means for causing the steam ineach of said receptacles to initiate the operation of the siphonassociated therewith, and means causing said heating devices to completetheir respective operations in a predetermined sequence.

9. A machine comprising a feed receptacle, a chamber, a heater for saidreceptacle having provisions for heating liquid in said receptacle abovethe bottom thereof, means for adjusting the height of said heater, meansfor trapping steam generated in said receptacle and utilizing thepressure thereof for causing delivery of liquid from said receptacle tosaid chamber at an average temperature determined by the height at whichsaid liquid is heated.

10. In a washing machine, a plurality of liquid holding receptacles,means for heating the liquid within the receptacles to generate steamtherein, and means responsive to the amount of steam generated forsuccessively discharging the liquid from said receptacles in apredeterminei sequence.

11. Apparatus for supplying liquid to a wash ing container comprising incombination, a plu rality of liquid measuring receptacles includlnlmeans for flowing liquid from one of said recep tacles to another ofsaid receptacles, a pluralit: of liquid holding receptacles, means fordirecting liquid from said liquid measuring receptacle to said holdingreceptacles, means for heating the liquid within said liquid holdingreceptacles and means for feeding liquid from said holding receptaclesinto said washing container.

12. Means for supplying liquid to a washing chamber comprising incombination, receptacle: for pre-washing, washing and rinsing liquids, zmeasuring tank have compartments for said prewashing, washing andrinsing liquids, means supporting the tank for movement to dischargesaic liquids to their corresponding receptacles, electric heatingdevices within the receptacles containing the washing and rinsingliquids for generating steam therein, means in said last mentionedreceptacles for confining the steam so a: to displace some of theliquid, and means responsive to displacement of said liquid forsiphoning the liquid from said receptacles to said chamber, said heatingdevices being so constructed and arranged as to complete theirrespective operations in a predetermined sequence in which the rinsingliquid will be delivered to the washing chamber at a predetermined timesubsequent to the delivery of the washing liquid thereto.

13. Apparatus for supplying liquid to a washing container comprising incombination, a plurality of liquid measuring receptacles including meansfor flowing liquid from one of said receptacles to another of saidreceptacles, a plurality of liquid heating receptacles, means fordirecting liquid from said liquid measuring receptacles to said heatingreceptacles, means within said liquid heating receptacles for heatingthe liquid within said receptacles, and means for feeding liquid fromsaid heating receptacles into said washing container.

14. Apparatus for supplying liquid to a washing chamber comprising incombination, a plurality of liquid holding receptacles, means connectingsaid receptacles with the washing chamber, electric heating deviceswithin said receptacles for heating the liquid to generate steam withinthe receptacles; means for causing the steam to displace liquid withinthe receptacles, said first named means comprising means to effectdischarge of the liquid through said connecting means to the washingchamber in response to said displacement, and means to cause theelectric heating devices of said receptacles to complete theirrespective operations in a predetermined sequence.

15. Means for supplying liquid to a washing chamber comprising incombination, receptacles for pre-washing, washing and rinsing liquids, ameasuring tank having compartments for said pre-washing, washing andrinsing liquids, means supporting the tank for movement todlscharge saidliquids to their corresponding receptacles, electric heating deviceswithin the receptacles containing the washing and rinsing liquids forgenerating steam therein, means in said last mentioned receptacles forconfining the steam so as to displace some 01' the liquid, and meansresponsive to displacement of said liquid for siphoning the liquid fromsaid receptacles to said chamber,

said heating devices being so constructed and arranged as to completetheir respective operations in a predetermined sequence in which therinsing liquid will be delivered to the washing chamber at apredetermined time subsequent to the delivcry of the washing liquidthereto, said means for supporting the measuring tank comprising meansfor pivotally mounting the tank adjacent the upper edges of saidreceptacles whereby tilting of said tank'towards said receptacles causesthe liquid to flow from said compartments into said receptacles.

16. Means for supplying liquid to a washing chamber comprising incombination, receptacles for pre-washing, washing and rinsing liquids, ameasuring tank having compartments for said pre-washing, washing andrinsing liquids, means supporting the tank for movement to dischargesaid liquids to their corresponding receptacles,

said compartments being arranged in horizontal alignment and havingcommunicating passages whereby the liquid may flow from one of saidcompartments to another of said compartments, electric heating deviceswithin the receptacles containing the washing and rinsing liquids forgenerating steam therein, means in said last mentioned receptacles forconfining the steam so as to displace some of the liquid, and meansresponsive to displacement of said liquid for siphoning the liquid fromsaid receptacles to said chamber, said heating devices being soconstructed and arranged as to complete their respective operations in apredetermined sequence in which the rinsing liquid will be delivered tothe washing chamber at a predetermined time subsequent to the delivcryof the washing liquid thereto.

- DONALD K. FERRIS.

REFERENCES crran The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 576,006 Tilden Jan. 26, 1897992,021 Marzetti May 9, 1911 1,017,874 Kelso Feb. 20, 1912 1,080,214Hadaway Dec, 2, 1913 1,090,420 Steed Mar. 17, 1914 1,149,195 HeermansAug. 10, 1915 1,184,178 Hanks Apr. 23, 1916 1,292,431 Cass Jan. 28, 19191,306,089 Wagenhorst June 10, 1919 1,520,691 Boyuls Dec. 30, 19241,567,371 Huebsch Dec. 29, 1925 1,639,024 Carroll Aug. 16, 19271,639,368 Carroll Aug. 16, 1927 1,662,496 Forsgard Mar. 13,- 19281,827,087 Hynes Oct. 13, 1931 1,836,373 Kadesch Dec. 15, 1931 1,849,283Crane Mar. 15, 1932 1,920,013 Green July 25, 1933 1,971,588 Stoddard eta1 Aug. 28, 1934' 1,983,084 Janus Dec. 4, 1934 1,987,381 Twombly Jan. 8,1935 2,024,952 Snyder et a1 Dec. 17, 1935 2,157,112 Bonner May 9, 19392,181,983 Voris Dec. 5, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 389,812England Mar. 27, 1933 680,700 France a Jan. 22, 1930

